By IVES GALARCEP
In a league where salary cap is king, finding bargains is key to survival and success.
Whether you are a team who spreads the wealth relatively evenly across your starting lineup, or a team that has some high-priced stars to go with less expensive options at other positions.
When the 2013 MLS salaries were released by the player’s union on Monday, there were clearly some bargains that stood out, as well as some over-priced players who are looking like anchors weighing down their teams’ salary caps (we will take a closer look at those players on Wednesday).
We have put together a Best XI of to bargains throughout the league, with the threshold being that their salaries could not be more than $100,000 in guaranteed compensation (that’s base salary and bonuses).
A word of warning. The compensation figures listed by the player’s union aren’t likely to include things like potential transfer fees paid and other compensation. Our list is going strictly off the figures provided by the MLS Players Union.
Now, here is the SBI MLS All-Bargain Best XI:
2013 SBI MLS All-Bargain Best XI
——————-Adam Jahn————–Joao Plata———————-
——————-($35,125)——————–($60,000)———————-
———————————Dillon Powers——————————–
————————————($59,500)————————————-
Jose Villarreal————————————————-Lee Nguyen
—($48,375)———————————————————($80,100)–
———————————Michel Pereira———————————
————————————-($81,500)————————————-
Seth Sinovic—-Matt Hedges—Victor Bernardez—Steve Beitashour
-($96,750)———($64,500)————($100,000)————($49,612)—-
———————————–-Clint Irwin———————————–
————————————-($35,125)————————————-
HONORABLE MENTION
C.J. Sapong ($92,000), Jose Goncalves ($75,000), Martin Rivero ($75,000), Fabian Castillo ($66,250), Chris Klute($46,500), Greg Cochrane ($35,125), Brandon Barklage ($71,428), DeAndre Yedlin ($53,500), Josh Williams ($52,000), Rafael Baca ($49,500), Jonathan Osorio ($46,500), Joe Bendik ($46,500).
————–
Some thoughts:
Rookies making small salaries are nothing new, but this year we have seen some late draft picks step up. Adam Jahn had been a revelation at forward, where true bargains are very scarce around the league. DeAndre Yedlin’s salary figure looks low for such a high-profile prospect, but it is unclear just how much compensation he receives from adidas. The same question can be asked about Villareal.
Josh Williams was inadvertently left the the initial list. He was a first teamer initially but Beitashour edged him out. Both are outstanding values.
Clint Irwin can make a striking case for best bargain to date. He’s on minimum salary and excelling at a normally high-paying position.
What do you think of the squad? Who do you consider the best bargain on the team? Who didn’t make the cut that you feel should have?
Share your thoughts below.